- A File size is the measure of space a file takes on a storage medium or memory device such as a computer hard drive, memory cards,pen drives etc.
- File size is basically measured in bits or bytes.
- Bit: A bit is value of either 0 or 1.
- Byte: One byte is equal to the 8 bits(1 Byte = 8 bits).
Different File Sizes:
| Name | Symbol | Size | Number of Bytes | Equal to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KiloByte | KB |
2^10
|
1,024
| 1024 B |
| MegaByte | MB |
2^20
|
1,048,576
| 1024 KB |
| GigaByte | GB |
2^30
|
1,073,741,824
| 1024 MB |
| TeraByte | TB |
2^40
|
1,099,511,627,776
| 1024 GB |
| PetaByte | PB |
2^50
|
1,125,899,906,842,624
| 1024 TB |
| ExaByte | EB |
2^60
|
1,152,921,504,606,846,976
| 1024 PB |
| ZettaByte |
ZB
|
2^70
|
1,180,591,620,717,411,303,424
| 1024 EB |
| YottaByte | YB |
2^80
|
1,208,925,819,614,629,174,706,176
|
1024 ZB
|
Limitations of File Sizes:
- File sizes are limited by the file system that is used and its implementation. Here are details on the common file systems:
| FAT16 | FAT32 | NTFS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum File Size | 2^32 - 1 Bytes | 2^32 - 1 Bytes | 2^64 bytes - 1 KB (On disk format) 2^44 bytes - 64 KB (Implementation) |
| Maximum Volume Size | 4 GB | 32 GB | 2^64 allocation units (On disk format) 2^32 allocation units (Implementation) |
| Files per Volume | 2^16 | 2^22 | 2^32 - 1 |
- NTFS stands for "New Technology File System ".
- FAT stands for "File Allocation Table".
Examples for File Sizes:
